Veteran Army Military Police Finds a New Career at the USF College of Nursing

Spring 2008 College of Nursing baccalaureate graduate Benjamin Bell was in the Army for five years and served as a Military Policeman and as a Sentinel at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Arlington National Cemetery before making the decision to become a nurse. Two of Bell’s sisters-in-law are nurse practitioners and helped get the ball rolling on Bell’s new career. Nursing would allow him to help people directly and hands on, one of his main reasons for wanting to become a nurse.

“I’m excited to work at the VA as a veteran myself,” said Bell. “I worked with the vets that I love and I plan to work there after graduation. The College of Nursing and USF Health have made great strides to bring interdisciplinary experiences together.”

While at USF, Bell participated in the VA Learning Opportunities Residency (VALOR) program at the James A. Haley Veterans’ Hospital. The VALOR program provides the opportunity for exceptional registered nursing students enrolled in baccalaureate programs to experience clinical nursing while at an approved VA health care facility.

Since his graduation, Ben has achieved his goal to work as a nurse at the James A. Haley VA Hospital in the Medical Intensive Care Unit. He still finds time to give back to his alma mater by working as a nurse preceptor for USF College of Nursing students. As a USF alumni, a veteran, and a VA nurse he brings a unique perspective and set of skills in dealing with the health issues of military, veterans and their families. Thanks to students and alumni like Ben Bell, not only are military, veterans and their families being helped through direct patient care, but the next generation of nurses at USF are prepared by him to meet the health care issues unique to this population.

This story originally appeared in the USF College of Nursing “Nursing Life,” summer/fall, 2008, Vol.2, magazine. To read this issue click here.